It Will Be Difficult

In my relatively short life I can remember a time that I wished more than anything for an easy life. The funny thing is, the more you wish for an address on Easy Street the harder things seem to get. This is a matter of perspective.

One woman's easy is another woman's difficult. 

Once an individual has been through a difficulty in life be it a death in the family, overcoming a disease, a career change or even something self inflicted like changing a diet, her perspective changes when the next difficulty comes along. It is for this change in the way I see things that allows me to invite change and challenge. Once I started to see the results of a change I had to endure, I realised that change was the best way to become better than I was the day before. 

Yes it's hard. Why would it be easy? Then EVERYONE would do it!

"Our major purpose on Earth is that of developing wisdom through struggle and self discipline." - Unknown

Think about how you feel after you have had a terrible day. Relieved that you got through it right? But also a little proud that you were able to deal with it that way you did right? Well, imagine trying something new and not stopping until you have won. Imagine how that would feel. 

We waste our lives doing things that are easy because somewhere along the line we kept telling ourselves that we didn't have the time to look after our dreams, health and good fortune. Watching T.V., eating fast food or prepared meals prepared by someone else, not exercising, speaking poorly, emailing and texting rather than a phone call and the list goes on and on. Why waste your life? You only have one in this body (depending on your beliefs). Why sit in front of a T.V. and fantasize about what a fictitious character is doing? If you want that life then GO GET IT. 

WARNING: It Won't Be Easy 

"Life is a fight for territory, it's hard to keep your spirit up, it's hard. But you need to refuel yourself mentally emotionally and spiritually. You have to battle sometimes in your own home against yourself. But I can tell you from my experience, it's worth it! - Unknown

I believe that every human being has a set of priorities and standards that they live their life by. But they also have inspiration somewhere inside of them to become what they wish to become and whenever they do that thing or activity, they experience a fulfilment beyond measure. 

"It doesn't matter how many times you fail. It doesn't matter how many times people tell you that you can't do it. It doesn't matter if you don't have a dime in the bank. You will fail your way to success. What's very important is do you really want to win?" - Unknown 

"There is ALWAYS a way to win. There just is. Your job is to find it."

So go find it and don't worry about what everyone else is doing or saying. You know what you have to do. Do it and don't look back no matter how hard things get. You will succeed and then the next challenge will seem that much easier. You will then have a system in place for mastering anything. 

Do what you have to do to get that system in place and then you will become the person you wish to become.

It's Easy...But Only When You Love It

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius

Whatever you choose to master in life, make sure it is something you absolutely love doing. It doesn't have to be 

a money maker but something that you absolutely lose track of time doing. What do you find yourself searching 

for on YouTube all the time? I search shark videos often just because I love the ocean, it's life and it's sports 

(surfing for example).

With this passion and love for what you are pursuing you will find instant motivation once you start working at it. 

An athlete like Tiger Woods would not dread going to train everyday on the golf course. Yes it would be difficult 

at times when you are tired but you'd go and do it because you loved it and you would not have to talk yourself into 

playing or training everyday.

When something becomes a part of your lifestyle, much like watching t.v., you would start to look forward to that 

routine activity. That place becomes your sanctuary and provides you with a similar comfort to being home. In 

essence that training ground, workplace, field, basketball court (or where ever) becomes your home. Once you 

establish this feeling and routine you will create an amazing snowball effect. You start to see results and you 

crave more and more. That is when you will become unstoppable.

Remember, nothing will happen if you are forcing yourself to do it. Whether it's weight loss or a new career or skill.

You have to WANT to do it. 

As soon as you truly WANT to do it for the right reasons, you are on your way to mastery.

Do what you need to do, to become the person you need to become and you will succeed.

Adaptation From Desiderata

This poem was written by Max Ehrmann (1872–1945) and has been added to by an anonymous writer. These words mark the beginning of the age of enlightenment as deemed by the Mayan Calendar ending today December 21st 2012. In business and in life, follow these words and no matter how much or how little money you have you will find your personal enlightenment. 

After all, we can make all the money in the world but in the end of our days here on this beautiful Earth we will ask ourselves "what was it really all about". Keep striving but always follow these words. Copy them, paste them somewhere you can see them daily. 

Tomorrow morning with a sunrise at 7:49am (EST) means that today (the longest night) will be behind us and we move into longer and longer days until the Summer Solstice when we embrace the longest day of the year. 

Adaptation From Desiderata

(Desiderata - latin meaning Something that is needed or wanted. Desired things.)

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Find somebody to love, love what you do and always be excited about your future. When you find love give nothing but love, yet demand nothing in return.

Be a true friend, as being a friend is a gift you give to yourself.

Take kindly to the passing of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth, but never you health.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Spend your time wisely and only in the company of those that matter, as time is the only true currency you have.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. 

Be cheerful, be happy. 

Happy Solstice and cheers to the rebirth of the sun (and sunlight). 

The Professor

I'm stealing this next entry from someone as I don't know who wrote it but I loved it and thought it was so true. Fill your life with the things that actually matter most. As the holidays approach and you write out your long list of wants remember that the only thing that really matters is that you are surrounded by the people you love and that love you back. 

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles roll

ed into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favourite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.